Soap dispenser



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W. H. ALTON SOAP DISPENSER Filed July 10, 1931 April 26, 1932.

. INVENTOR WM &,W 7W v M ATTORNEYS 2 April 26, 1932.

w. H. ALTON 1,855,214

SOAP DISPENSER Filed July 10, 1931 2 Sheets-Shea; 2

INVENTOR Z9 5 W flum ATTORNEY F BY I Patented Apr. 26, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM H. ALTON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE R. T. VANDERBILT COM- PAN Y, INCL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK SOAP DISPENSER 7 Application filed July 10,

This invention relates to improvements in soap dispensers for dispensing powdered soap and powdered soap compositions.

The dispensing of powdered'soap and powdered soap compositions presents the dilficulty that the soap powder may not flow freely through the discharge outlet of the dispensing device, and may tend to bridge or arch over so that free dispensing is prevented 10 or interfered with. It has been proposed to overcome this difficulty by providing mechanical agitators or stirring devices to insure that the soap powder is maintained in condition to feed through the discharge mech- 13 anism. r

The present invention provides an improved dispenser or dispensing device in which such difficulties are overcome or mini:

, mized, and in which the provision of separate agitating or stirring devices is obviated.

According to the present invention, the dispensing device is made of substantially uniform cross-section throughout that portion of the device which contains the powdered soap,

and a discharge element is provided which fills the entire cross-section of the compartment and forms the bottom of the soap-containing compartment and by means of which the soap is fed from such compartment to the discharge outlet of the dispenser.

ample, the soap-containing compartment is made of a cylindrical or rectangular crosssection and the discharge of the soap from the bottom of such compartment is accomplished and controlled by a rotatable ball which forms the bottom of the cylindrical compartment or by a rotatable cylinder which forms the bottom of the rectangular compartment.

With soap dispensers of larger size, where a single ball or roller would be unduly large,

a plurality of rollers may be provided arranged across the bottom of the soap-containing compartment, and rotatable so as to discharge the powdered soap between the roll ers and the sides of the compartment, or between the difierent rollers, depending upon the number and direction of rotation of the rollers. In the case oftwo rollers, for exam- For ex- 1931. Serial N0. 549,921.

container.

The rotation of the balls or rollers can-be by any suitablemechanism, such as ratchets or ratchet devices, or cranks or handles by means of which the'balls or rollers are rotated to the desired extent to discharge the desired amount of soap powder from the container. Such ratchets orcranks can be located on either or both sides of the dispenser, for either right or left hand operation, or

they may be otherwise conveniently located. I'have found it particularly advantageous to make such balls or cylindrical rollers of yieldable material, such as sponge rubber,

and of a size that completely fills the cross section of the soap-containing compartment so that,on rotation of the ball or roller,the soap will be fed between the rotating ballor roller and the sidewalls of the compartment, or, where two or morerollers are provided, between the rollers or/and between the rollers and the side walls ofthe compartment.

The invention will be further described and illustrated in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, showing certain embodiments of the invention, but the invention'is not limited thereto.

In the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 shows a central vertical section of a cylindrical dispenser, with parts in elevation;

Fig. 2 is aplan view with the cover'removed; 7

Fig. 3 is a'vertical section taken'on the line 83 of Fig, 2;

Fig. 4 is a'vertical sectional view of a modified form ofdispenser;

Fig. 5 is a view taken at right that of Fig. 4; r

Fig. 6 shows a modified form of balhpartly in section; V

Fig. 7 is a sectional viewofa modified form of dispenser with twinrubber' rollers forming the bottom of the compartment; I Fig. 8 is a side view of such dispenser; and j angles to Fig. 9 is'a top view thereof. 7 The dispenser of Figs. 1 to 3 is a cylindrical dispenser having the cylindrical soap-containing portion 1 with tapered lower end 2 leading to the discharge outlet 3 and provided with a removable cover 4. Within the lower part-of the cylindrical dispenser, and filling the entire crosssection of the cylindrical portion is the rotatable ball 5 mounted on a shaft one end of which extends through the casing at6 and the other end of which has the operating handle 7 for rotating the ball.

The ball 5 is shown as a soft rubber ball having a sleeve member 9 extending through it for receiving the operating rod or shaft 6. A set-screw 11 extends through the ball at right angles to the sleeve 9 and is threaded in the sleeve 9 at 12 for holding the sleeve and rod 6 from relative rotation. The rod 6 may be provided with a flattened portion 13 against which the set-screw 11 is screwed so that, when the rod 6 is rotated by the handle 7, the ball itself willbe, rotated.

The rubber ball shown is advantageously made of sponge rubber by vulcanizing the sponge rubber around thesleeve 9 and simultaneously forming in the ball the opening for the net-screw 11. Such a ball can readily be made by positioning the sleeve 9 in the censition so that, when vulcanized, the cylindrical mold will be filled with the soft sponge rubber ball having the; sleeve 9 vulcanized therein and having the opening forthe setscrew 11 simultaneously formed. Suitable sponge rubber compositions can be employed, containing blowing agents such .as sodium bicarbonate or ammonium. bicarbonate for imparting a fine sponge rubber structure to the rubber ball. Such a sponge rubber ball is yieldable and is advantageously made slightly larger in diameter than the diameter of the cylindrical chamber in which it is to operate so that therubber will be slightly compressed where it comes into contact with the container. 7 V

The surface of such a soft rubber ball is made somewhat rough, as by using a spherical mold with a'somewhat roughened surface orb-y using a mold with ribs for, forming small grooves in the ball arranged transversely on the axis of rotation.

Some soapxpowders or soap compositions contain finely divided inorganic materials more or less abrasive in character. Soft rubber is resistant to abrasion by such materials butthe metal walls of the container, between which and the rubber ball the powdered material is fed in discharging it from the'container, may become gradually abraded and worn away by such abrasives. In order to prevent or mmimlze such abrasion, where this is desired, the cylindrical chamber 1 may be provided with a lining member 8 of special abrasion resisting steel or alloys, which lining member may extend only adjacent to the rubber ball or which may extend the entire height of the chamber, but where it does not between the ball and the casing when the ball is rotated. The ball shown in section in Fig. 6 has transverse ribs or depressions lt made in the ball at thetime of vulcanization which similarly form pockets for receiving the soap powder and carrying it downwardly between the ball and the casing when the ball is rotated In the operation of the dispensing device thus described,the soap powder isintroduced into the compartment by removing the cover 4 andis supported in the compartment by the ball 5 which forms the bottom of the compartment and which extends across the entire cross-section of the compartment. The ball 5 isrotated by the handle -7 and carries with it small amounts of the soap powder which fall into the space belowthe ball and are discharged through the outlet 3. With arcadily compressible soft rubber or sponge rubber ball 5 which is made a little larger in diameter than the diameter of the chamber in and effectively preventedfrom adhering to the rubber ball when the pressure between the ball and the side walls is relieved asthe ball is rotated. a t

. Inasmuch as the rubber ball fills the-entire cross-section of the soap-containing compartment and forms the bottom of the compartment, there are no restrictions to cause arching or bridging of the soap, while the roughened surface of the'rotating ball agitates the body of soap powder which it sup ports sufficiently to promote the free flowing of the soap powder down on to theball where I it is effectively discharged on rotation of the ball. 7

In the manufacture of such a soapdispenser, the cylindrical portion 1 with tapered lower discharge portion 2 can be readily prepared from sheet metal in a single sheet. and suitablyplated or enameled on the outside. The cover 4: can similarly be made from a single piece of metal. The rubber balls can be made in the manner above described and the operating rod and handle inserted, therein and secured by the set-screw as described. The container is provided with suitable means of support such as, for example, brackets 15 secured to the cylindrical portion of the container and having holes by means of which it can be attached to a wall or support; or other suitable supporting means may be provided.

The modified form of container shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is of rectangular cross-section and has the rotatable cylindrical roll therein but otherwise is similar to the device of Figs. 1 to 3. The main soap-containing chamber 16 is of uniform cross-section with rotatable roller 18 in the lower portion forming the bottom of the soap-containing chamber and with paper discharge spout 17 leading to outlet 19. The rotating roller 18 may similarly be made of yieldable rubber or sponge rubber vulcanized around a central sleeve 20 in which the rod 21 is arranged and secured thereto by set-screw 22. The operating handle 23 forming an extension ofthe rod 21 serves for the rotation of the roller.

The roller 18 is similarly made with a somewhat roughened surface or with a slightly corrugated surface and it may advantageously be made of sponge rubber slightly larger in diameter and length than the dimensions of the inside of the chamber so. that the rubber is slightly compressed where it comes into contact with the walls of the chamber, there by insuring a close seal while nevertheless insuring that the soap will be fed from the chamber by the rotation of the roll and discharged from contact with the roll so that it will flow freely to the outlet 19.

In this modification, as well as in the modification of Figs. 1 to 3, it will be noted that the soap-containing compartment is of uniform cross-section above the rotating discharge member, and that this member forms the bottom of the compartment and fills the entire cross-section of the compartment. So also, where the roller or ball is of yieldable rubber, such as sponge rubber, it is advantageously made slightly larger than the crosssection of the container so that it is pressed against the side wall of the container, forming a tightseal and preventing leakage of soap powder, but nevertheless insuring that the soap powder will be effectively dispensed in regulated amounts when the rotatable member is rotated.

When the rotatable discharge member is not yieldable it should be provided with suitable transverse depressions or pockets for discharging the soap as it is rotated, but it should nevertheless occupy the entire cross section or area of the container and form the ber may be considered to be supported by the rotating member so that it will flow down continually into contact with such member as it is rotated and as the powdered soap. is fed from the dispensing device. I consider it particularly advantageous, however, to have sucha rotatable element which is ofyieldable material, for example, of sponge rubber, with a sufficiently roughened or uneven surface to insure that some of the soap powder will adhere thereto or be carried thereby as the member is rotated, and which forms a tight. fit or which is slightly compressed'in the bottom of the container to prevent escape of the soap powder except when the member is rotated for the purpose of dispensing the powder therefrom.

The dispenser shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 has twin rollers 25 and 26, of the same general construction as that of Figs. 4 and 5, arranged in the casing 24 which, together with the rollers, form the soap dispenser. These twin rollers can be operated in any suitable manner, as by means of gears 27 and 28 on the shafts of the rollers-which gears intermesh, and one of which is rotated in any suitable manner, such as by means of the handle 29. Depending upon the direction of rotation of these rollers,,the soap will either'be discharged between the rollers, or between the rollers and the walls of the casing. This ar-' rangement is desirable in larger soap dis? penserswhere a single roll would occupy too large a space. Such an'arrangement has advantages similar to those above described.

It will be understood that variations and modifications can be made in the specific construction and arrangement of the parts of the device without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim: I

1. A soap dispensing device comprising a soap powder-containing compartment free from any obstructions interfering with the free downward flow of the soap powder in said compartment and having one or more rotatable discharge members forming the bottom of said compartment and extending across the entire cross-sectional area of said compartment, the surface'of said rotating members being generally convex and constructed to cause the discharge of the powder between said member and the'side walls'of the compartment when the members are rotated.

2. A dispensing device for dispensing soap from the compartment.

powder comprising a .compartment for containing the powder and one or more rotatable discharge elements at the bottom of the compartment, the surface. of said rotatable elements being of yieldable material and of generally convex shape and being adapted,

when rotated, to cause discharge of the powder from the chamber.

3. A dispenser for dispensing soap comprising a chamber for containing the powdered material, which chamber is free from obstructions interfering with the free clownward' movement of the powder therein, and

one or more rotatable discharge members forming the bottom of said chamber and extending across the entire cross-sectional area extending across the entire cross-sectional area of the compartment, said yieldable members being adapted on rotation to cause dischargeof the powder between the same and the side walls of the compartment.

5. A dispensing device for dispensing soap powder comprising a compartment for containing the powder and arotatable discharge element at the bottom of the compartment, said discharge element having a substantially continuous yieldable rubber surface of gen:

erally convex shape and being'adapted, when rotated, to cause discharge of the powder 6. A dispensing device'for dispensing soap powder comprising a compartment for containing the powder and a discharge element at the bottom of the compartment having a substantially spherical discharging surface,

. the discharging surface ofsaid element being substantially continuous and of yieldable rubber, said discharge element being adapted, when rotated, to cause discharge of the powder between said element and the side walls of the compartment.

-7. A soapdispensing device comprising a soap powder-containing compartment free from any obstructions interfering with the free downward flow of the soap powder in said compartment and having at least one 1'0. tatable discharge member forming the bottom of said compartment and extending across'the entire cross sectional area of said compartment, said member having a discharging surface of yieldable rubber and of generally convex shape and being adapted to cause a discharge of powder between said 8. A soap dispensing device comprising i a soap. powder-containing compartment free from any obstructions. interfering with the free downward flow of the soap powderin said compartment, and a substantially spherical and rotatable discharge member forming the bottomof said compartment and extend ing across the entire crosssectional'area of said compartment, said discharge member having a substantially continuous and yieldable discharging surface which, when rotated, will cause discharge of the powder fromthe compartment.

9. A dispensing device for dispensingsoap powder comprising a compartment for containing the powder and at least one rotatable discharge cylinder at the bottom of the compartment, the surface of said discharge cylinder being of yieldable material and generally convex, said discharge cylinder being adapted, when rotated, to cause discharge of the powder from the compartment.

10. A dispensing device for dispensingsoap powder comprising a compartment for containing the powder and at least one rotatable discharge cylinder at the bottom of the compartment, the surface of said discharge cylinder being of yieldable rubber and generally convex, said discharge cylinder being adapted, when rotated, to cause discharge of the powder from the compartment.

11. A soap dispensing device comprisinga soap powder-containing compartment free from any obstructions interfering with the free downward linear vertical flow of the soap powder in said comp'artmentand having one or more rotatable discharge members forming the bottom ofsaid compartment and extending acrossthe entire cross-sectional area 'of said compartment, the surfaceof said rotating members being constructed to cause the discharge of the powder between said member and the side walls of'the compartment when the members are rotated.

.12. A dispenser fordispensing soap comber and extending across the entire cross-sectional area of said chamber, said rotatable members being of yieldable material and be;

ing adapted to cause discharge of the powder between said members andthe side walls of 'the compartment when the members are rotated.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

WILLIAM H. 'ALTON. 

